Kyle Turley - Another Whiskey (via gridironrecords)
A few weeks back I posted a music video (above) of former Chiefs offensive tackle Kyle Turley. After his playing days, Turley turned to music -- well "power country" as I've heard it described -- and I was admittedly surprised that it was good stuff.
Long story short, I just got off the phone with Mr. Turley.
He's in Kansas City as we speak gearing up to play at a place called Knuckleheads tonight (Here's the location/directions).
He and his band started touring on March 12th. He opened for Hank Williams III and tacked on a few extra dates, including Kansas City.
"I knew right away I wanted to come to Kansas City," he said. "I used to play here. I've got friends here. Hopefully I've got some fans here."
He likened his music style to that of his playing days, which if this video of his playing days is any indication, is intense.
"I'd say my music style is similar to my playing style. I had a lot of different music influences growing up [ranging from] punk, rock, reggae and so on."
One thing I thought was interesting about his situation is that he's made such a smooth transition into his post-playing career. Most guys are taught to save their money and invest wisely. Seems like Turley has done that -- albeit unconventionally -- and now has a promising career after football.
As I've said, not many people are as musically handicapped as me but I know someone like Hank Williams III is a fairly big name to be touring with. Plus, I've listened to his video and it's good work. It sounds like he's starting to make a name for himself in the music business.
I told him that when I wrote about him a few weeks back I had said something like, "Kyle Turley is in a band...and he's not bad." I don't mean that in a negative way, I said, you just don't think of NFL-player-turned-musician as a smooth transition.
"Everyone's gotta prove themselves and prove their worth," he said. "I know I've got to earn their respect just like in football. It's like playing football growing up. I knew I could do that. Now, with music, I know I can do it. It's a passion. It's something I love to do. I was always [playing music] in the NFL. I've got to work my way up and make a name for myself [as a musician]"
I liked his attitude. He knew he was a low-man on the totem pole in the music business since he's really just getting started.
"I'm just Kyle Turley, the Saints player who threw a helmet," he said laughing.
He stills follows the Chiefs a little since he's got a few friends here. He had kind things to say about Chiefs fans and playing in Arrowhead. He said this is a "winning-driven" business and Arrowhead is a "great football town" so when the winning comes back, so will the fans.
So congrats to Kyle Turley and his new album, Anger Management. Chime in if any of you are heading to see him play tonight.